What to do with a 3.5 yr old and a 1 yr old in south FL?

[HIU8]

I am taking DS (3.5 yrs old) and DD (1 yr old) to visit my mother in FL. She lives in Broward County. The last time we took DS we only really went to CB Smith Park for the water slide and beach area. We may do the beach for a day (not sure yet). I love boating but won't take DS and DD on a boat yet. What are some activities that are not a super far driving distance that would be good for DS and DD? My mother mentioned something about butterflies....

[ilfaith]

We lived in South Florida for a while (pre-kids), and still have family down there. Even though I grew up visiting the area every spring vacation growing up (both sets of grandparents lived there...as I believe is required by law for all northeastern Jewish retirees)

Your mother is thinking of Butterfly World, which my boys loved at that age. It is a little pricy...which is probably why my own parents never took me there whan I was growing up in spite of the fact that is was right down the street from my grandparents' condo.
http://www.butterflyworld.com/start.html

Lion Country Safari (in West Palm Beach) is also fun for kids. When we went, DS2 was still rear-facing in his car seat, so I don't think he fully appreciated the drive-through safari. DS1 (who was barely three at the time), loved the animals and the rides.
http://www.lioncountrysafari.com/

Further south in Miami are the Metrozoo, Monkey Jungle, Parrot Jungle...none of which I've been to...and the Seaquarium, which I haven't visited since I was a kid.

[hellbennt]

went to the zoo yesterday :-)

it's very far south, but worth a trip if you're so inclined...

go city kids south florida might be your best bet- I tend to look things up there (& I'm a local, lol). the site just recently switched to a newer version & I feel it's a bit wonky, but it still works:
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/region/miami-fl-usa

if you have your mother to help, I think you'd do fine on a water taxi...

enjoy~